callithump

or callathump

Midwestern U.S.. Also called callithump parade. a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

Origin of callithump

British dialect

1855-1860

1855-60, Americanism; compare earlier callithumpian band assembly of noisemakers on New Year's Eve, British dialectgallithumpians disturbers of order at Parliamentary elections, probably equivalent to dial. gally to frighten (as in gallicrow scarecrow; akin to Old Englishagælwan to scare) + thump + -ian

1836, U.S. colloquial, probably a fanciful construction. The "English Dialect Dictionary" reports Gallithumpians as a Dorset and Devon word from 1790s for a society of radical social reformers, and also in reference to "noisy disturbers of elections and meetings" (1770s). The U.S. reference is most commonly "a band of discordant instruments" or bangers on pots and pans, especially to "serenade" a newlywed couple to show disapproval of one or the other or the match.